"Hm…" Humming to myself, I continue to read the vendor's sign over and over. "No, these are apples." I repeat.
"Hah? You got an accent or something, kid? These are Appas!"
"Yeah, no. They're–" I mentally cast observe on the apples.
Appa
A tasty and sweet fruit.
Heals 5 HP
"...Appas."
"That's what I just said." With that, the vendor's patience came to an end. "Look brat, are you buying or not?!"
Smiling, I reach into my pocket and pull out my only form of currency. "I'd like to, but…do you have any change for a holy dragon coin?"
Lugnican Capital
As it turns out, no, the average street vendor does not have enough change. So, here I was heading…north? I didn't actually know, and until something happened, I'd just mindlessly walk around with my spirit.
"Beatrice? Something on your mind?" I ask, walking past a group of knights.
After a few more moments of walking, I finally got my answer. "Betty finds her contractor's trust in that blood thirsty woman worrisome. If she so easily betrayed the clown's orders, who is to say she won't do the same with you?"
"I doubt she will." I wave off her concerns.
"How can you be so sure?"
'This. This is why.' I threw a look at the screen I hadn't dismissed since I saw it.
Elsa Granhiert
Level: ???
All Stats are hidden due to level difference
More commonly known as the Bowel Hunter, and is a child of the Archbishop of Lust
Affection: 70/100
The level difference wasn't a surprise, but the high affection was. What had I done for such a high amount? Why was it labeled Affection and not Reputation? Questions, but not a single answer.
"There are three stages to the Reputation system. Everyone usually starts at the Reputation stage, and they can either evolve into the Affection stage or devolve into the Animosity stage."
'How exactly?'
"Once you reach 100 Reputation with someone else, they'll reach the Affection Stage. As for reaching Animosity, the opposite."
'So, I'd have to go into the negatives…Wait. What happens once I reach max affection?' A stray thought comes to mind, but…I have a hard time believing that my relationships can be deepened so easily.
"Exactly what you think."
'Isn't this–'
"Wrong? Immoral? These whimsy morals of yours certainly didn't stop you from forcing a contract between you and Beatrice."
'That's different, I–' "OOMPH. Ow…" Snapping out of my thoughts as I fall on my back, I notice a head of green hair and their weight on me.
-2 HP
Oh, and this small pop-up.
"Lady Crusch!"
"I-I'm fine, Ferris…" Raising herself off my chest, her voice trails off as our eyes meet.
"Uh, Nice to meet you? Are you alright?" I ask, mostly out of courtesy, seeing as she was physically fine. 'Observe.'
Crusch Karsten
Level: ???
All Stats are hidden due to level difference
A Noblewoman and current Head of House Karsten. Crusch is one of the remaining four Royal Candidates.
Reputation: 5/100
'...I refuse to believe this just happens, is my luck the cause?' No longer feeling weighed down, I am presented with a gloved hand.
"A-Are you alright, sir?" …Sir? Me?
Taking her hand, I try not to show my apprehensiveness at the way she called me. "I'm…fine, thank you."
"It seems I was too lost in thought, I apologize."
"Please don't apologize. I'm at fault as well." I wave off her apology, I'd rather not have another princess indebted to me. 'As nice and convenient as it is, being involved in politics is not.'
Reputation with Crusch Karsten has Increased by 10
'Damn it.'
"Ahem." Turning to my right, I notice a cat girl in a very revealing ou-wait a second, this is the femboy, isn't it?
Feeling a change in pressure around my hand, I notice the princess' embarrassed look and her retreating hand. 'Ah. We were just holding hands…How lewd.'
Reputation with Crusch Karsten has Increased by 15
'Again, and more? The system is fucking with me, right?'
"You're so obviously her type…"
'Yeah, somehow I doubt that.'
"Ahem. Betty has grown hungry, I suppose." Beatrice finally cuts in, grabbing a hold of my previously held hand.
"Hm? Okay, me too I guess." I reply, before looking back at the strange duo. "I'm sorry about before, and have a nice day?" Not a moment later, I'm pulled away by an irate Beatrice.
'Okay, seriously. What the hell is going on?'
Cafe
'These naming conventions suck.' I sigh, staring at the cup of joe I ordered.
Coff
A re-energizing hot drink made from Coff beans.
Recovers 10 MP
Swiping the screen away, I notice the odd look from Beatrice. "Fine, I'll ask. What did I do?" I ask, biting into the cookie I ordered.
"Be yourself, I suppose."
"That's…" Not something I can argue with.
"There's not much he can do about it, can he?" Suddenly ambushed by a purple haired girl on my right, she takes a seat at our table. "Nice to meet ya, I'm…"
Anastasia Hoshin
Level: 30
HP: 250/250
MP: 0/50 (Defective Gate)
STR: 30
END: 30
AGI: 30
INT: 70
WIS: 90
LUK: 110
Commoner Slave turned Successful Entrepreneur, Owner of Hoshin Company, and One of the Four Remaining Royal Candidates.
"Anastasia Hoshin, owner of the Hoshin Company, right?" This isn't even funny anymore…How are they all here?!
"Ah. So ya know me?" She raises her eyebrow in curiosity, giving me another look. "Tell me, who are ya? Mystery man without a past, contracted with the Great Spirit of the Mather's Library?"
'She…She's been looking into me? …No, I can't show hesitance, or she'll use it against me.' Smiling, I reach over and pat the still very annoyed Beatrice. "Woah, I didn't know Betty was so popular, here I thought she was just a lonely girl in need of a parental figure...ow." I deserved that kick, but boy did it hurt. "Sorry."
"Fine…" She sighs, disappointed. "I tried the easy way, Julius." Suddenly, the entire place stood up and looked in our direction, revealing themselves as knights.
"Fuck."
Slam!
-4 HP
Pushed onto the table from behind, I struggled in vain. 'Ow! That's a fork in my cheek!'
"Ren Fujimura, you are under arrest for-" A sudden Magical Pressure hits me, and likely everyone else.
"And, what is it you think you're doing to Betty's Contractor?" Beatrice glares, conjuring Minyas throughout the cafe, all aimed at the knights and the princess.
"H-Honored Great Spirit, this man is a suspected Witch Cultist, and has influenced your mind!" What? How did they come to that conclusion…that fucking clown!
"...Do you take Betty for an idiot? Now, stand still and die-"
"Don't! Beatrice! Don't do it…" Damn, this position and fork hurts. "I'll come along, just don't hurt her." I stop struggling, feeling a small trickle of blood on my cheek.
"Don't be a fool, Betty can hand-"
"I know, because you're the strongest, right?" I smile, as I'm lifted off the table and put in chains. "Wait for me, okay? Beatrice?"
Daily Quest Generated!
Live Past Today - 0/1
Success Rewards - 10 Gacha Coins
Failure will result in death
'So, this is bad. Ow!' I recoil as they pull the fork out. "You guys are dicks."
Court Room
So I was now in court, waiting for my trial to commence.
To my left, were knights, and to my right? Nobles by the looks of it. Too many to count or bother remembering, and why are they here? Are they so bored that they use trials like these as entertainment? Wait, is that..?
Breaking my gaze away from the nobles, I look to the last person who was of great importance. Ahead of me stood the man who would decide my fate.
Miklotov McMahon
The Head of the Council Of Wise Men.
An older gentleman, who had not broken eye contact with me since I engaged it. 'Is he trying to get a read on me?'
"Most likely."
'Hm? There you are, 2B. Mind helping me represent myself?'
"...Yes I mind, but I'll do it anyway."
'Gee, thanks. Don't sound too happy about it.'
"Focus."
"-the prosecution shall now begin."
Having heard the claims against me, I sigh. '...This all reeks of the clown.' Still in chains, I feel nearly the entire place glare in my direction.
"Obviously."
Not that it changed much, I was still on trial for crimes I didn't commit. "Defendant, do you refute these claims?"
"...I do."
"I see. Lady Karsten, if you would." From out of the crowd of nobles, appears one green haired Crusch, the woman I met on the street.
"Ah. It's you…" I mutter, staring curiously. 'Why would he call her? …No, right? Observe.'
Crusch Karsten
A Noblewoman and current Head of House Karsten. Crusch is one of the remaining four Royal Candidates. Also a living lie detector.
Reputation: 30/100
'Damn it, how could I forget?! No, panicking doesn't do me any good.' Forcing a smile, I try to wave, but I am still heavily restricted. "Hello Miss, It's nice to meet with you again, even if the situation is less than stellar."
Reputation with Crusch Karsten has Decreased by 5
'Huh?'
"Did you forget what you just read? She can tell your words aren't genuine."
'But, I didn't…Oh, you're joking. Her lie detector went off when I said it was nice seeing her again?!' Taking in a deep breath, I look over at the judge. "I'm sorry, what exactly is this?"
"Ren Fujimura, If you could refute each of these claims?"
Oh, I see. They're quite thorough. "Sure." I nod, directing my stare back to the greenette.
"I am not part of the Witch Cult, and have no plans of joining up with them. In fact, I plan on killing them. All of them." Gasps are heard throughout all of the hall, as I say something akin to painting a target on my back.
"Truth." Crusch sighs, which I throw a raised eye at. Some of the tension in the room dissipates, as shoulders sag in relief.
After a few moments, I decided to continue. "I did not…use mind control on the Great Spirit, Beatrice." I word carefully.
"Truth."
Even after both of my verified claims, I was still receiving glares from the knights. "And, of the third claim?"
Taking a deep breath, I eye the purple haired knight who arrested me curiously. "By the way, can't I prove my innocence with trial by combat?"
"Yes, but failure to defeat your opponent will result in a harsher punishment." Miklotov explains. "I do not advise this course of-"
"Julius, was it?" I get his attention. "How about it? Knight's are all about honor and everything like that, so won't you humor me?"
Sparring Grounds
Opening my left eye, I wait for my right eye to regenerate in quiet agony. "Concede, and perhaps your sentence will be lightened."
-30 HP
Not particularly out of breath, or injured enough to be worried, I sigh. "I knew it, swords aren't for me." Throwing the blade away, I raise my right arm into the air. "Al Shamak!" Am I actually capable of using this spell? No. I'm only bluffing on the Al prefix, and hitting him with a regular Shamak. "Now!"
Feeling a sudden pull on my outstretched arm, I'm suddenly lifted off the ground as I soar through the air.
"I was starting to get worried you left me!" I tell the woman who catches me in her arms as we land outside, on the rooftops.
With a raised eyebrow and smile, she asks. "Really?"
"No." I tell the truth. "I saw you in the courthouse, nice dress by the way." There's something about this woman and purple, it's just so…natural.
Dressed in a purple gown that'd make noble attire look like rags, Elsa suddenly throws me into the air. "Could you not?!" I yell, flailing in the air uselessly as gravity takes hold of me.
CLANG!
I watch in wonder as Elsa engages in combat with my previous opponent, only to realize the situation I'm still in. "Oh Fuck! I'm going to-"
"Murak."
-2 HP
"Oomph." Landing roughly, I'm surprised by the small amount of pain I'm in. "I lived?" Getting off the ground, I check myself for any unnoticed injuries.
"Yes! Now, get in the cart, In fact!" Meeting eyes with my spirit, I feel relief fill my heart.
"Beatrice!" Rushing into the cart, I pull her into a hug. "You're okay!"
"Betty should be saying that to you, In fact." Oh, I guess so. "Now let go of Betty."
"Nope! You're going to be stuck to my side from now on! Do you realize how scared I was that they would do something to you to get to me?"
Reputation with Beatrice has increased by 30
"Weren't you the one who got captured, Nii-san?" Turning to my right, I notice the child assassin sitting in the driver's seat, controlling Clara's movements.
"Meili?! …Since when were you here? And you're driving? Wait, what about Elsa!?"
"Here." Landing next to me, Elsa turns to Meili. "Get us out of here, Meili."
"Uh, Right!" With an increase in speed, we soon begin to wreak havoc all over the Lugnican streets.
"My stall! /My produce!"
"Sorry!" I yell out.
Feeling a tug on my dress shirt, I look down to find my contracted spirit not looking me in the eye. "You can let go now…I suppose."
"Oh, uh…Yeah." Releasing my hug with her, Beatrice takes a seat beside me, but not before grabbing my right hand.
"Don't I get a reward for saving you?" My left arm is suddenly latched onto by the bloodthirsty assassin.
Not making an outward reaction, I try to stop myself from blushing as I empty my head.
"Well? Ren-kun~?" Think of nothing, think of nothing, tits of nothi-Fuck!
"You want me to reward you for doing your job?" I try to play off my embarrassment at the borderline sexual harassment.
"So mean, and here I left that knight alive for your sake."
"Seriously? …That's…" Genuinely surprised, I feel my shoulders sag in relief. "Fine, but not right now." Obviously.
En Route to Safety
Watching the moon shine brightly, I suddenly hear a system alert.
Daily Quest Completed!
Rewards - 10 Gacha Coins
With a breath of relief, I claim the rewards. '2B?'
"Hm? What is it?"
'How does one use the Gacha Coins?' I ask, staring at the 21 in my inventory.
"Crushing them in your hand. They're very brittle."
'Oh. Thanks.' Feeling the carriage stop, I turn to face a sleepy Meili getting off the driver's seat.
"Clara needs rest. We've been on the road for a few hours now."
"Okay. Take this chance to rest up too, I'll be on lookout duty." I tell her, as I move out of both the spirit and assassin's grip.
Laying them both down, so that they may sleep as comfortably as they can, I soon find myself perched on a nearby rock. '2B? What exactly can I get from these coins?'
"Anything with a physical form."
'Okay.' Taking out a coin, I apply a small amount of pressure and it immediately crumbles into dust, then fades away in a white glow. "Wow, this is brittle."
Gacha Coin Used!
Recipe for Mayonnaise
Rarity: Common
"...Wonderful." I sigh, disappointed by the underwhelming results. "I guess you did say anything."
Taking another coin, this one snaps into uneven pieces, and fades away in a blue glow. "Why was it…"
Gacha Coin Used!
Dungeon Key - The World Tree and The Tree Elves
Rarity: Rare
Recommended Level of Entry: 30-80
(Usable when in the vicinity of Flugel's Tree)
"This is…" Grinning from ear to ear, I immediately pull out another coin, only for it to crumble and glow white again.
Gacha Coin Used!
Fountain Pen
Rarity: Common
"So how they break and glow is an indication for rarity. Interesting...You know what they say, 99.99% of gamblers give up before they hit big!"
"Hit big, my ass. What the fuck is my luck doing?" I complain, as I glare at the screen angrily.
Gacha Coin Used! x5
A Shoe
Rarity: Common
Soap
Rarity: Common
A 12 Pack of St*rb*ck's Coffee
Rarity: Common
VHS Player
Rarity: Common
A Painting of No One in Particular
Rarity: Common
Grabbing the last thirteen, I crush them in my hands, and a myriad of colors hit my sight.
Gacha Coin Used! x13
Skill Book - Heal
Rarity: Uncommon
Uno
Rarity: Common
A Full Set of Netherite Armor
Rarity: Epic
A near indistinguishable Fake ID (With your picture)
Rarity: Common
Copper Sword
Rarity: Common
Skill Book - Divine L-
Before I can even finish reading, a blinding blue glow appears at the foot of the rock I'm sitting on.
"Ahem!" Now, at the foot of the rock stood…a white haired girl with heterochromatic eyes in two different shades of blue that glow beautifully in the moonlight.
Dressed in a dark blue top hat, vest, and shorts, I stop analyzing her for a moment as she notices my attention on her. "I am Furina de Fontaine! Fontaine's most beloved star! I know, it's very nice to meet me too."
To Be Continued…